Hey everyone, We have two kids and Rent is about $3,501/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Piedmont sits at 123.8 per 100K. Household incomes average around $250,001 in Piedmont. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Any advice would be great. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to.
1 upvotes
14 Replies
Naomi Morris
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The food scene is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Jacob Roberts
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 41, moved here 6 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Springfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Salt Lake City, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
31 upvotes
Grace Ruiz
spot on
24 upvotes
Sophia Kim
Saving this thread
20 upvotes
Benjamin Rogers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from New York about 10 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Eleanor Collins
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Olivia M.
Bought a house here in 2023 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
19 upvotes
Adam T.
haha yep pretty much
19 upvotes
Samuel Cook
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
19 upvotes
Ryan Gomez
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much pricey but now it's excellent.
14 upvotes
Scarlett Long
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely tough and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (The Heights) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
11 upvotes
Julian W.
Came here for school and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The school system is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Christian Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
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